#vco664

[hannahlacey]

Brand Identity 2 Experiments: LO2

Week 9

The Socialite (Society Social Scenario):

Headline: "Elevate Society Socials” *Body: “*Fuelling connections without the hangover.” Call to Action: "Raise your glass - available at your local store”

The Upper (Ring of Fire Pre-drinks Scenario):

Headline: "Elevate Your Pre-Game" Body: "Ignite the night without the alcohol burn." Call to Action: "Boost Your Buzz - available at your local store”

The Chiller (Sharing Stories with Friends Scenario):

Headline: "Elevate your hangouts" Body: "Unwind and connect without the drunk blur." Call to Action: "Chill and Unwind - available at your local store”

Billboards:

Headline: "Elevate Your Evening" Body: "Unleash the power of Elevate drinks: all the fun without the alcohol. Elevate your mood, elevate your experience. Available at your nearest store!" *Call to Action: “*Available at your nearest store!"

Social Media Adverts:

Headline: "Join the Elevate Experience" Body: "Step up your social game with Elevate drinks. Crafted for non-stop fun, minus the alcohol. Elevate your vibe today!" Call to Action: "Shop Now!"

Supermarket Stands:

Header: "Elevate Your Nightlife" Description: "Discover Elevate drinks: your ticket to vibrant, alcohol-free nights out. Elevate your energy, elevate your enjoyment. Available in-store!" Call to Action: "Take One Home!"

I then created these experiments, looking at more trendy styles to create this packaging. However, I felt this still resembled the 'call the shots' packaging, especially with the illustrations.

This style was more in alignment with the original idea, however, I felt this resembled the 'call the shots' packaging quite similarly.

I therefore decided to switch up to a different style and approach, looking at more illustrative styles.

Looking at social animals, i decided to try and draw a meerkat for this packaging. This was due to their very social manner- which i found matched the characteristics of this product.

After further exploration, I found i really liked this other variation I created. Heavily inspired by the composition of Bovito, I wanted to apply my own style of branding to this, and explore different illustration styles. By sticking to two colours still, I feel I was able to create a very contemporary style, which was fun to do with these illustrations.

Although I am unsure about the meerkat illustration (used as they are social creatures), I still like the style, and feel this could apply to many different actual illustrations.

I created more designs out of curiosity, however these fell flat and so I didn’t continue them.

[tillzzy]

FMP

I hate the viscom printers

After hours of printing, gluing and cutting, we came to the final cut of the book along the bleed margins. Me and Joseph spent 2 hours trying to align the pages as the printers printed the spread quite wonky. We thought we had done a good job aligning the pages however when we finally trimmed the edges, a lot of the page numbers had been cut off/cut in half. Honestly this is really disappointing as I am really proud of this outcome and such a small thing has decreased its quality so much.

However, there is nothing I could have done better as we spent hours trying to fix it by hand. I am still really happy with the binding process and proud of myself for completing this.

[abigailshorel6]

Creating a System/Custom Typography

I decided that a stop motion animation would be the best option as it would be the quickest for me, give me the most freedom when manipulating the type and would give the characterful/playful feel I am going for.

For my system I decided to manipulate the type based on the note. Due to my lack of musical and coding ability this is very subjective but if I had longer for this project I would create a system where the type reacted to different notes itself.

For lower notes I used spikes, I also thought these shapes were fitting with Jaws. As the notes became more intensified in the track I made the spikes larger. For the higher parts I used squiggles, I associate softer shapes like this with higher notes. When listening to the track there is one really low horn like sound, I decided to draw the type like it had collapsed or been broken apart. The look of the type adds to the emotions of the soundtrack. E.g the lowest note gives a sense of imminent danger which I visualised with the collapsed type which looks like it was attacked by a shark itself.

[sadieseddonfmp]

Unit Briefing

31-01-24

Notes from briefing. Jotted down key points from LOs to refer back to throughout. Key takeaway is to make sure I chose a topic with a large enough scope for extremely in depth research and development. Also, I want to start developing my online presence such as Instagram and an online portfolio.

Rich mentioned being aware of news and contemporary practice. I aim to document things I hear or see in the news that I find interesting or insightful.

[georgiaeveritt]

Unit Key - Final Major Project

31.01.24

#VCO664

Final Major Project - #fmp

Translate & Transform (1 week proj) - #t&t #fmp

Personal branding/portfolio - #pb

Process book - #fmp #process book

Learning Outcomes

LO1 - Clear understandinfg of research and its relationship to your practice, forming personal and critical viewpoint in the refinement, realisation & production of fmp.

LO2 - Demonstrate effective development of practical working methods to your defined topic and include speculation on new and effective approaches that are at the forefront of visual communication practice.

LO3 - Demonstrate project managing ideas, practice, time and work strategies in the production of a well-realised body of work. Reflect the complexity if the amp and angage effectively with academic support and resources.

LO4 - Critically reflect on the process of your fmp. Document its relation to personal and wider professional contexts, practices and debates.

Aims

A1 - Source information and knowledge from research.

A2 - Enhance knowledge in the development of a body of creative work appropriate to chosen field of study.

A3 - Discipline and time management.

A4 - Working independently in the development and documentation of your practice.

[tamaradoubraomonibeke]

Tweaked Learning Agreement

Notes from tutorial

Rephrase paragraph another reason

Do not specify the software so I won’t be limited

Remove final paragraph

Remove assessment criteria

Put references and look at libraries

Specify the action plan (set a timeline)

Learning Agreement

Name: Tamaradoubra Omonibeke        

Course: Visual Communication   

Level: 6                    

Unit: Major Project    

Unit Code: VCO664

Credit points: 60       

Study hours: 600      

Tutor(s): Rich Hurst, Emily Melling, Dot Falla, Hannah Byles

Synopsis of study

I aim to provide an immersive exploration into the traditional practice(s) of Nigeria, with a special emphasis on Opobo, my mother's ancestral town.

The rationale behind selecting this subject matter becomes apparent considering the dilution of historical heritage experienced by many Nigerian tribes, including my own, the Ijaw. Consequently, I've chosen to spotlight the Ibani tribe of Opobo, renowned for their unwavering commitment to traditional customs. This initiative serves as an effort to understand cultural practices, preserve heritage and a journey for enthusiasts eager to explore Nigeria's diverse traditions.

I aim to counter prevailing narratives that depict Africa through a narrow lens of turmoil. Thus, I will refrain from divulging into wider politics and focus on celebrative traditions within Opobo.

To realise this vision, my research will involve interviews with family members, collation of archival photographs, and thorough secondary research. These efforts will inform the content.

In execution, I intend to learn and utilize digital software. The decision to manifest this project as a digital interactive space stems from my innate affinity for user experience design and recognition of the unparalleled reach and engagement potential offered by digital mediums.

Utilizing this interactive platform, my goal is to empower cultural enthusiasts in the UK to undertake a customized journey through Opobo's rich heritage, providing them with the autonomy to explore and interact with content at their leisure. While the most immersive cultural experiences often occur in the native setting, accessibility to travel isn't universal. Therefore, this digital platform extends a broad outreach, enabling users to engage with the culture to the fullest extent possible in a digital format.

Ethical issues

The ethical concerns pertaining to this study involves interviews and photos of my family members.

Aims 

A1

To provide opportunities for me to source information and knowledge from the diverse forms of rigorous research that are required to undertake and manage a comprehensive Major Project.

A2 

To provide me with the opportunities to exercise and enhance my knowledge and abilities in the development of a body of creative and technically competent work appropriate to me chosen subject field of study. 

A3

To encourage me to apply the advanced level of discipline and time- management which are required to develop a cohesive and sustained body of work. 

A4

To encourage me to work independently, albeit with supervision, in the development and documentation of your practice in how me understand contemporary professional practice and audience.

Learning outcomes:

LO1

Demonstrate my ability to develop a clear understanding of the relationship of research to my practice in forming a personal and critical viewpoint in the realization, refinement and production of my Major Project.

LO2

Demonstrate sustained and effective development of a practical working methodology to a topic that I have defined and which includes speculation on new and effective approaches that are at the forefront of Visual Communication practice. 

LO3

Demonstrate an ability to authoritatively and independently project manage ideas, practice, time and work strategies in the production of a well realized body of work, reflecting the complexity of the major project and engaging effectively with academic support and resources.

LO4

Demonstrate an ability to critically reflect on the process of my major project documenting its relation to both personal and wider professional contexts, practices and debates.

Assessment Components

A professional, focused body of work including initial ideas to final outcomes. I will also submit a professionally considered portfolio that evidences how I have selected and displayed my work and how these decisions shape my portfolio. 80% 

A designed and illustrated display book, that details my research methods and strategies deployed for each individual project brief contained in this unit (word count between 2000 to 2500 words). 20%

Reference

Goge Africa. (2015). Wrapper Tying Ceremony. YouTube. [online]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsrmSPSf_xE [Accessed 12 February 2024].

Adagogo-Brown E. (2020). Colonial Native Administration in Opobo Kingdom from 1891 – 1959. South-South Journal of Humanities and international Studies.

 Vol.3 No.2 pp. 619 – 655 [online]. Available from: https://ssjhis.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/33-COLONIAL-NATIVE-ADMINISTRATION-IN-OPOBO-KINGDOM-FROM-1891-%E2%80%93-1959.pdf

Adebowale O. (2019). Jaja of Opobo: The Slave Boy Who Became King Guardian.ng/life  [online]. 25 August. Available from: https://guardian.ng/life/jaja-of-opobo-the-slave-boy-who-became-king/ [Accessed 29 February 2024].

Opobo Foundation (n.d.). Opobo Kingdom [online]. Available from: https://opobofoundation.org/opobo-kingdom/ [Accessed 29 February 2024].

Andrew-Jaja T. Bell-Gam H. L. (2022). The Iria Rites of Passage in Ibani Land. South-South Journal of Humanities and international Studies.

Vol.5 No.1 pp. 263 – 272 [online]. Available from: https://ssjhis.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/20.-THE-IRIA-RITES-OF-PASSAGE-IN-IBANI-LAND.pdf

Action plan/time plan

Week 1 (31/01/24) – (02/02/24)

Unit Briefing (Aims/ learning outcomes/ assessment requirements/ criteria)

Research into monochromatic meals and synaesthesia

Experimentation of monochromatic meals

Illustration and development of final outcome

Update tumblr

Week 2 (07/02/24) – (09/02/2024)

Presentation for Translate and Transform

Type Workshop: Legibility & Gestalt (Helped in creating process books and UI)

Research for final major project (Russell Cotes Museum, Christianity and Nigeria)

Update tumblr

Week 3 (13/02/24) – (16/02/24)

Major Project Tutorials (Define subject interests)

Type Workshop: Readability & Grids

Research into ideas for final major project

Update tumblr

Week 4 (19/02/24) – (23/02/24)

Dimension Intro

What’s the plan? (Present Plan)

Research into software and justifying the rationale

Update tumblr

Week 5 (26/02/24) – (01/03/24)

Learning Agreement Tutorials (Draft Learning Agreement)

Research into Opobo’s culture and software

Consider achievable deliverable and sketch ideas

Hand-in Learning Agreement Wiseflow

Update tumblr

Week 6 (05/03/24) – (08/03/24)

Major Project Tutorials (Visualisation of ideas (at least 5 – 10))

Justify solution and it’s relevancy to subject matter

Research into Opobo’s culture and software

Interview family members concerning Opobo

Week 7 (12/03/24) – (15/03/24)

Interim Critique – Pecha Kucha (Development of final idea and presentation of work to date)

Research into software

Low-fidelity wireframes of idea

Week 8 (09/04/24) – (12/04/24)

(Content fully collated during the Easter)

Major Project Tutorials (Refining final idea and realisation)

High-fidelity wireframes of idea

Start process/display book

Week 9 (16/04/24) – (19/04/24)

Tutorials (One to One) (Developing final solutions)

Prototype idea

Update process/display book and tumblr

Week 10 (23/04/24) – (26/04/24)

Studio day

Sign up tutorials (Developing final solutions)

User test prototype and tweak it

Update process/display book and tumblr

Week 11 (30/04/24) – (03/05/24)

Final Critique (Presenting final solutions)

Final development of digital interface

Update process/display book and tumblr

Week 12 (07/05/24 – 09/05/24)

Sign up tutorials (Refining final solutions)

Development of digital interface

Update process/display book and tumblr

Print out process/display book

Week 13 (13/05/24)

Hand in.

[vedaadesigns]

Major Project VCO664

Unit Briefing

Notes

LO3 - engaging with academic resources (Eg., using sources from the library)

Display book - word count b/w 2000-2500 words (10% above or below permitted) be succinct and concise.

Record research, synthesis, ideation, etc.

Test the outcome on a focus group if your brief is user-centred.

You need to identify an audience.

You have an opportunity to engage with external stakeholders (you can collaborate with students on another course)

The project can be personally meaningful.

Be cautious about choosing big issue subjects (sensitive subjects) (think about how you can make small changes, not big changes) (small, deeper, focused, niche) 

Watch the news (daily mail, the telegraph) 

Show evidence of tutorial notes in hand-in.

Remember when preparing for tutorials - (feedback from last tutorial, progress since then and things you’re struggling with moving forward)

References

Maarit Koobas

Matthew Wallace (Einstein on the Beach, Phillip Glass, Music Visualisation)

Zante Tolley

Amelia Lewis-Colonna (Lost Memories)

[felicityhicklingviscomlvl6]

ೄྀ࿐major project ˊˎ-

VCO664

[leiajoydesign]

FMP - Task Outline

Wednesday 31st January 2024 - Task Outline

Title: Major Project

Reference: VCO664

Level: 6

Credit Points: 60

Weighting: 3.0

Duration: 13 Weeks

Study time: 600 hours

Commences: Wednesday 31st January 2024

Deadline: Monday 13th May 2024 10:30am

Task Outline

The type of brief you produce for this unit is likely to be an open brief, a user-centred brief, or a graphic authorship brief. Whichever type you choose you need to support your outcome with a separate research document. This needs to be a substantial publication that identifies all of the experiments that you undertake to engage with the problem; The process of problem solving that you go through (research, analysis, ideation, synthesis and realisation all need to be recorded); and the subsequent methodologies you develop which require critical appraisal.

If the outcome is user-centred it would be appropriate to test the outcome on a focus group – this takes time and needs to be built into your time plan.

Irrespective of the type of brief you choose you need to identify its audience. With this brief you will, if you wish, have opportunities to engage with external stakeholders. This could be an opportunity to work with other practices, designers or subject specialisms.

The importance of producing a ‘sustained focus’ and a ‘significant body of work’ delineates this unit from the other units consequently during the assessment process we will be looking very closely at this documentation.

You must evidence a body of work that represents a dedication to your studies and commitment to the duration of the unit.

[ytvisuals]

FINAL MAJOR PROJECT (VCO664)

I will create a series of short stories telling separate narratives through illustration and design surrounding the topic of maladaptive daydreaming and escapism. I will be using only images, no text to convey a kind of “busy silence” inside someones head when they are in a state of dissociation.

[katiemcveighaub]

UNIT BRIEFING ANALYSIS: VCO664

Thursday 06th February 2020- Monday 04th May 2020

The Major Project enables you to consolidate both your knowledge and practice. This unit gives you the opportunity to relate your work to a practical solution and to demonstrate your skills in defining, analysing and developing a substantial solution(s) to a defined area of Visual Communication. You are required to demonstrate both in content and form your understanding of Visual Communication practice appropriate to the level of Honours degree study.

KEYWORDS

Consolidate both your knowledge and practice

Research and 

document your project

Critical analysis

Necessary to demonstrate the achievements appropriate to the learning outcomes

Devise and design your graduating portfolio and self-promotion material

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Ability to develop a clear understanding of the relationship of research to your practice

Sustained and effective development of a practical working methodology

Ability to authoritatively and independently project manage ideas, practice,  time and

work strategies

Ability to critically reflect on the process of your FMP

The importance of producing a ‘sustained focus’ and a ‘significant body of work’ delineates this unit from the Major Project unit consequently during the assessment process we will be looking very closely at this documentation.

You must evidence a body of work the represents a dedication to study and at least 30 hours per week.

DELIVERABLES:

Sketchbooks/design sheets

Research

Ideas, concepts and approaches to problem solving

Critical reflection on process and development

Process book

Final visual outcomes

Professionally considered portfolio and self-promotion materials (website/business cards)

[hannahlacey]

Designing Supermarket Stand : LO2

Week 8

By thinking about where the product would live within a supermarket, I created this rough sketch to try and visualise what a possible stand could look like.

I wanted to be clear in my messaging, and ensure the right thing was communicated. By saying 'be a part of it all', this may be a little vague for my project, however, this is the main message i would like to communicate.

I found this messaging to be the strongest- as the main point behind these products is to 'be a part of the night' and have as much fun as possible. This was hard to refine into a short sentence, however, it had to be short and easy to understand to be snappy and communicate the products ethos.

I wanted to then try and visualise this on an actual stand, seeing how it could and would stand out. I decided to create two different variations of this, one generic supermarket stand, and the other a more personalised brand stand.

Between the two, the first one would maybe be more applicable to many supermarkets, and i would definitely have to alter the second one's label. However, as a whole, this is really helpful to visualise this, and understand how it would capture the attention of Gen Z students.

I think this messaging is the best way to capture the students and let them know it is a product that is there for anyone to have a good time, regardless of alcohol or not.

[tillzzy]

FMP

Lay Flat Binding - Process (LO2)

after printing my outcome, the first step was to fold each individual page in half. the pages are all printed single sided

i then compressed all the pages together in order and glued the spine together

I then glued the back of each spread together so it opens seamlessly with no seam in the middle.

I then put my book into the press for it to be completely flat

printed cover and marked where the folds and creases have to be

glued edges to content of book

put into the press to flatten

[abigailshorel6]

Julia Schimautz

Julia Schimautz is a designer who I have been following for a while, she does short animations/gifs using riso print. Her work came to mind when I was researching for this project as the vibrant moving colours she uses link well to synesthesia. Using colour to represent emotional experience during a song will make the animation more convincing and emotive. The texture created with the riso also really adds to the effect giving the work a vintage or dream like feel. Due to the printed nature of the work we can see small imperfections which add character and playfulness to the design. This playful feel is something I want to embrace in my work as it feels much more personal which links with portraying emotions. Riso print is definitely something I would like to explore but due to time restraints with this project I am going to try and create a similar effect digitally.

[tomisgar]

Unit Briefing Document

Major Project VCO664 | 06/02/20 - 04/05/20

For the Major Project, the final project of uni, I need to think of and design my very own brief, whilst creating my own Learning Agreement and produce my portfolio with other self branding components. 

Description: “The type of brief you produce for this unit is likely to be an open brief, a user-centred brief, or a graphic authorship brief... You need to support your outcome with a separate research document. This needs to be a substantial publication that identifies all of the experiments that you undertake...”

Deliverables: > Sketchbooks / design sheets > Research > Ideas, concepts and approaches to problem solving > Critical reflection on process and development > Process book > Final visual outcomes > Professionally considered portfolio and self-promotion materials 

Assessment Requirements: A professional focused body of work including initial ideas to final outcomes.

A designed and illustrated book, that details your research methods and strategies that you deployed for each individual project brief contained in this unit.

[luciegould-blog1]

Unit Evaluation

Unit Evaluation – VCO664

I thoroughly enjoyed my Final Major Project. It allowed me to choose a theme and explore this in great depth. I think that I have produced an incredibly sustained body of work and am very happy with all that I have done. The sense of place project at the start of the unit was a very nice way to start and this helped lead me on the main theme of my FMP. One of the things that this unit has made me realise is that I really enjoy deep thinking and exploring quite conceptual themes and ideas. Communicating these visually has been a challenge at points, however, I am confident with what I have produced and feel that my outcomes communicate exactly what I wanted to say. Throughout this unit, I have definitely grown as a designer – my idea generation, development and design process has improved dramatically and I feel much more confident in terms of going into industry and working on live briefs. It has allowed me to work as an individual and process and develop my ideas as a designer.

My idea generation process was quite lengthy, and throughout the project, I spent a lot of time thinking, writing down ideas and processing the research that I had done. I enjoyed reading sources from the library such as Sherry Turkle’s “Alone Together” which I felt helped me to frame my ideas and develop a succinct theme to work within. Mini experiments and primary research definitely helped with my idea generation process as they allowed me to work through problems and evaluate which parts of my design process were working and which were not. I enjoyed doing these mini experiments as it allowed me to have a bit of fun and explore different themes and connections in ways that I haven’t previously done.

I felt that my project developed a lot week on week – I have produced a lot of work and mini outcomes throughout which has definitely allowed me to get to a final outcome which, in my mind, is well considered and based on a big and deep body of research and development. I took on board the feedback from tutors, and although there were some points where I felt very lost with the project and where I was going with it, I managed to problem solve my way around it and figure out where to go next to improve what I produced and how I communicated my themes. Critical reflection on my blog, in my notebooks and sketchbooks helped my to develop my project. I definitely work better when I write things down as it helps me to connect different ideas and form relationships between ideas which may not have an obvious relationship when you first consider them. Following on from this, my time management and ability to organise my schedule definitely helped with this project. I wrote down exactly what I wanted to achieve week on week and although I didn’t directly stick to this, it gave me a framework which meant that I generated a lot of content throughout the project as a sustained pace – I didn’t just leave things to the last minute. Obviously I did find points stressful and overwhelming, however I dealt with this as best as I could.

I’ve learnt a lot about myself as a designer throughout this project, as well as about myself as a person. I’ve learned that I’m a deep thinker, and like working on and producing projects that allow me to consider abstract and niche concepts. I like looking at the ways people function and the psychology behind our decisions and the impacts that these have on our lives and society as a whole. I feel that these topics and themes allow me to target real life issues and create work that is relevant to the wider population – not just designers. I’m extremely proud of what I’ve achieved during this project, and have learned how to manage my stress more efficiently and plan for points throughout the project where I know I will need some time to take a step back from the project and reflect on where I am. My ability to manage my time has never been an issues, however, I feel that I have perfected my time management system in order to make the process as stress free as it possibly could be.

The one thing that I would do differently if I had more time, would be to focus more of my energy on my animation and to have this outcome realised sooner than I had. This was definitely a bit of a rush at the end, and I would have liked to have had the chance to experiment with this more and to perfect the outcome to a higher standard, however, I feel that what I have produced in the time that I had to do it, is of a high quality and, despite not doing much animation work, I feel that it is a professional outcome and something that I am proud to have produced.